Is Psychotherapy or psychology in Modern Day Largely consist of Christian Elements

[Vinayak]

Share:

Facebook X Bluesky LinkedIn WhatsApp Email Share Link

Namaskaram everyone.

I’ve been reflecting on my recent experiences with modern psychotherapy, and I’ve started to feel that the "science" of psychology is actually deeply "evangelized." While the therapists I’ve met aren't necessarily trying to convert anyone, their core framework feels like it’s pulled straight from a Church manual rather than a clinical one.

I’ve even had therapists quote the Bible or the story of Adam and Eve to make points, which feels entirely out of place for those of us coming from a Dharmic background. Beyond the quotes, I see three "Absolute" Christian values being forced onto patients:

• The "Confession" Culture (Absolute Honesty): They push for "absolute honesty" as if truth is a gas that needs to be vented. It mirrors the Christian idea that the "truth shall set you free," often ignoring our traditional values of Satya (Truth) tempered with Priya (Pleasantness/Right timing).
• The "Turn the Other Cheek" Model (Absolute Unselfishness): Even when we are the victims of hurt, therapists often push us to be the "bigger person" and show compassion to those who harmed us. It feels less like healthy boundaries and more like a demand for saint-like sacrifice.
• The Mandatory Positivity (Absolute Love): There’s a constant pressure to be a "torchbearer of positivity."

It feels like the "Couch" has simply replaced the "Confessional Box," and the "Therapist" has replaced the "Priest." Instead of looking at our lives through the lens of Vasanas (tendencies) or Karma, we are being judged by a Western moral compass that emphasizes guilt and public dumping of emotions.

 

[sravna]

Dear Vinayak

No system or institution is complete by itself. It is by design of the one and only Almighty that we see diversity of opinions on everything so that we develop the discipline to appreciate the other perspective and learn from them and move towards perfection.

It is very simple logic that there cannot be Hindu God Christian God or Islam God etc. God is and can be only one. If this is properly understood animosity among religions will disappear.

At a deeper level if one understands truth is one animosity between science and religion will resolve.

But emotions blind us all. Irrespective of other person's perspective we can have our view unbiased. With all my criticism and attack of westerners for their attitude I do concede that science is a legitimate and an essential way to knowledge. There are some other aspects of westerners that can be imbibed but unfortunately we learn all the negative qualities of them.

All said it is truth that the ugly face of selfishness is at its peak now and that mainly sowed by the westerners.